Histories

by Mary Tighe

When the whitethorn bushes were in bloom,
military and tans came along from Listowel,
under May’s fresh green leaves on winding roads.

Asked their names which they gave correctly.
Took them to a lonesome road in Carrueragh,
when the whitethorn bushes were in bloom.

A Black and Tan armed with a rifle was placed opposite each man.
For five minutes they were in this position,
Under May’s fresh green leaves on winding roads.

He thought it just as well for him to bolt,
ducked his head and ran zig-zag,
when the whitethorn bushes were in bloom.

He kept on running and got out to a bog,
made his escape and is now quite safe,
under May’s fresh green leaves on winding roads.

All the men were unarmed,
had not even got revolvers,
when the whitethorn bushes were in bloom,
under May’s fresh green leaves on winding roads.

Reproduced with kind permission of the author. This poem was composed in Poetry as Commemoration workshops held during Listowel Writers’ Week in May-June 2023. The workshops were led by poet Luke Morgan.